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Temporary Resident Visa — Visitor
A Temporary Resident Visa for visitors is the entry document a foreign national from a visa-required country needs to travel to Canada for a temporary stay. Eligibility turns on establishing a genuine temporary purpose, ties to the home country and admissibility. The requirements below are quoted from the governing regulation and IRCC guidance.
Sources on this page last verified Jul 27, 2026.
Eligibility criteria
The requirements below are drawn directly from the governing regulation and IRCC program guidance for Temporary Resident Visa — Visitor. Each is anchored to the verbatim source text, not a paraphrase, so you can read the rule as it is written and follow it to the official page.
“Individuals who are accredited foreign representatives to Canada (for example, diplomatic, consular or official personnel) and their accredited family members can’t become permanent residents while they are still accredited.”
“provide any additional document requested by the officer to establish your admissibility”
“Determine whether the applicant requires a study or work permit in addition to the temporary resident visa”
“Determine whether biometric information is required or has already been provided and whether the biometric fee has been paid.”
“Wait for your biometrics instruction letter, and then book your biometrics collection appointment as soon as possible to avoid processing delays.”
“Biometrics fee Individual: $85 Family: up to $170 (if you’re eligible)”
“your main place of business and source of income and profits is outside Canada”
“you don't plan to enter the Canadian labour market”
“you plan to stay for less than 6 months”
“in order to qualify for a temporary resident visa, they must demonstrate that they have the capacity and willingness to leave Canada at the end of the authorized temporary period”
“All documents have been submitted.”
“All required forms are signed.”
“Proof of payment has been submitted.”
“All the questions on the application form are answered.”
“all questions on the application forms have been answered”
“Check that the application forms have been properly completed and signed by the applicant.”
“A conditional sentence does not count as a term of imprisonment for determining serious criminality under subsection A36(1).”
“If the minor is the subject of a custody order or is in a single-parent family: - a copy of the custody order is required; or - proof of custody and/or the other parent's written consent for the trip.”
“All applicants need to include a digital copy of your valid (not expired) passport or travel document”
“Applicants in certain immigration classes must submit a completed foreign educational credential and an equivalency assessment (Educational Credential Assessment [ECA] report issued by a designated organization or professional body to immigrate to Canada.”
“It shows that you meet the requirements needed to travel to Canada.”
“foreign nationals may apply for an eTA only if they meet at least 1 of the 2 eligibility requirements at the time of application: have held a Canadian temporary resident visa (TRV) in the past 10 years; hold a valid United States (U.S.) non-immigrant visa”
“Section R9.4 provides for an exception to the mandatory electronic application submission if the Minister determines that the infrastructure in a country is inadequate or incompatible with the electronic means made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose a natural disaster, political turmoil or other situation prevents or impedes the use of electronic means or makes using them unreliable”
“A foreign national or an individual who, because of a disability, is unable to meet a requirement to make an electronic application may do so by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose, such as the paper application form [R9.5].”
“The Minister has determined that the question flow in the individual secure account is inadequate for specific applicants inside Canada. As a result, these applicants are exempt from the mandatory online application.”
“If a visitor in Canada applies for and is refused a work or study permit, their visitor status is not affected. Upon receiving notice of the work permit or study permit refusal, the visitor must submit a separate application to extend their temporary resident status as a visitor before the expiry date of their temporary resident status, if they wish to remain in Canada.”
“Determine whether the appropriate processing fee has been paid”
“Visa officers must be satisfied that satisfactory financial arrangements have been made to cover costs not related to the organ donation, e.g., for the applicant's transportation to and from Canada as well as for accommodation and living expenses while in Canada.”
“The applicant must identify in their application for permanent residence which language—English or French—is to be considered their first official language in Canada.”
“When submitting an application for a TRV, all applicants must complete, sign and date the following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) forms, unless otherwise noted: Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257]”
“Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] Note: Refer to the responsible visa office for your region.”
“Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475] Note: This form is only to be completed by applicants who authorize IRCC and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to release information from their case file to someone other than the applicant.”
“Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] Note: Applicants must complete this form only if they use the services of a representative or if they are appointing or cancelling a representative.”
“Family Information [IMM 5707] Note: This form must be completed by those aged 18 years or older only.”
“be in good health (complete a medical examination if required)”
“Applicants under 18 must have a guardian or parent sign for them.”
“The guardian should present a statement from the parent(s), which: - authorizes the child to travel with someone else; - provides the name and telephone of the guardian; and - indicates the destination and the period of time the child will be in Canada.”
“Officers should be satisfied that the prospective donor is indeed the individual submitting the TRV application.”
“An IME is not required unless the applicant intends to work in a setting in which the protection of public health is essential.”
“Foreign nationals for whom an officer, or the Immigration Division, has reasonable grounds to believe are inadmissible under section A38 (for example, persons who answer 'yes' to the questions about medical problems or exposure to tuberculosis on the application form)”
“Temporary residents seeking medical treatment in Canada may need a medical examination”
“persons who, in the one-year period before they seek entry to Canada or apply for a visa or permit, have spent more than 6 consecutive months in a country for which an IME is required.”
“An IME is required for applicants who are seeking to work in occupational settings in which the protection of public health is essential.”
“Persons who are applying for a parents and grandparents extended stay temporary resident visa (super visa)—regardless of the duration of the visit or whether the applicant is from a designated country”
“Applicants who submit required and/or requested documents without accompanying translations will have their application returned as incomplete.”
“In situations where an applicant who has visitor status submits an application for permanent residence to a case processing centre in Canada and, at the same time, submits an application for a work permit [pursuant to paragraph R207(b)], the visitor may be considered to have requested an extension of their temporary resident status [in accordance with subsection R183(5)].”
“When no application for a work or study permit is received with the application for permanent residence, the applicant is obliged to apply to extend their visitor status.”
“foreign nationals who are in Canada and seeking to extend their temporary resident status or change their temporary resident status (if eligible) must submit their application online unless an exception to applying online applies.”
“convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit”
“the applicant must demonstrate that they meet or exceed the threshold set by the minister for proficiency in either English or French for each of the four language skill areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening.”
“Language test results are conclusive evidence of an applicant’s language proficiency pursuant to subsection R74(7). No other documentary evidence or explanation will be considered.”
“Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the required level of language proficiency in all 4 language skill areas by submitting valid results of an IRCC-approved English or French language test from a designated testing organization with their application.”
“Language test results must be less than 2 years old when a candidate submits their Express Entry profile and at the time electronic application for permanent residence was received.”
“satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay”
“Minors traveling alone require a letter from both parents authorizing them to travel.”
“Minors travelling with one parent require a letter of authorization from the non-accompanying parent.”
“digital copy of the employment contract”
“digital copy of an Introduction Letter from recruiter shipping agency or vessel owner”
“digital copy of a signed Letter of Invitation from a ship or port agent in Canada”
“digital copy of Seaman's Book”
“If the offence is considered serious criminality by today’s laws, officers should verify the maximum punishment at the time of the commission of the offence.”
“You may also need a medical exam and letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.”
“A medical assessment is the review of an applicant’s medical file by a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) medical officer or delegated staff.”
“Medical assessment can only be used for temporary resident (TR) immigration categories.”
“The certificate must indicate that their health condition is not likely to be a danger to public health or public safety, and unless subsection A38(2) applies, is not reasonably expected to cause excessive demand.”
“The validity period is 12 months from the date of the last medical assessment.”
“The visa officer must be satisfied that the potential compatibility of the donor applicant and the recipient has been medically established.”
“a family member of a person described in paragraph 186(b), unless that family member seeks to engage or continue in employment in Canada”
“a person described in paragraph 186(b) who is entering or is in Canada to carry out official duties, unless they seek to engage or continue in secondary employment in Canada”
“a non-accompanying family member of a foreign national who has applied for refugee protection outside Canada”
“a family member of a protected person, if the family member is not included in the protected person's application to remain in Canada as a permanent resident”
“a member of the armed forces of a country that is a designated state as defined in the Visiting Forces Act, who is entering or is in Canada to carry out official duties, other than a person who has been designated as a civilian component of those armed forces, unless that member seeks to engage or continue in secondary employment in Canada”
“Requirement for a medical examination - A16(2)(b)”
“No public health risk or danger, no public safety danger and no excessive demand.”
“Potential risk to public health. Medical surveillance required. Conditional entry recommended if granted entry to Canada.”
“A health condition is present but is not expected to place an excessive demand on health or social services.”
“Inadmissible due to danger to public health (for example, active infectious tuberculosis).”
“Inadmissible due to excessive demand on health and social services.”
“Inadmissible due to danger to public safety (for example, psychopathic personality).”
“they meet the requirements of the Act and Regulations”
“It is recommended that minors travelling without their parents have a letter of authorization signed by both parents or legal guardians, granting permission to travel alone.”
“a letter that authorizes a minor child to travel to Canada (if applicable)”
“Minors travelling alone must carry information concerning the person who will be responsible for them once they arrive in Canada.”
“If the child is the subject of a custody order or is travelling with one parent, custody documents or a letter of authorization from the other, non-accompanying parent providing consent for the trip must be: provided as part of the application”
“have no criminal or immigration-related convictions”
“be law abiding and have no record of criminal activity”
“The visa officer must be satisfied on a balance of probabilities that no sale of human organs is taking place.”
“Holding a TRV does not guarantee entry to Canada. The admission of foreign nationals into Canada as temporary residents is a privilege, not a right.”
“As a temporary resident, the applicant is not eligible for any provincial health coverage.”
“If an applicant has a medical condition that could pose a danger to the public health or safety of Canadian residents, the application should be refused under paragraph A38(1)(a) or A38(1)(b) respectively.”
“not be a risk to the security of Canada”
“not intend to work or study in Canada unless authorized to do so”
“If an applicant is seeking medical treatment that would cause displacement on a waiting list for Canadians, the application should be refused under paragraph A38(1)(c).”
“Canadian citizens are not eligible to apply for an eTA and must travel to Canada using a Canadian passport.”
“Section R12.07 allows an officer to refuse an eTA application if a foreign national is inadmissible or becomes ineligible under section R12.06.”
“If the applicant is a permanent resident of Canada, they are not eligible for an eTA.”
“Officers should not finalize the applications or issue visas until they are satisfied, based on documentary evidence, that the applicants are no longer accredited.”
“all applications for a temporary resident visa (including a transit visa), work permit, or study permit for foreign nationals who are outside Canada at the time of application must be submitted using electronic means—meaning they must apply online.”
“When travelling alone, minors must be in possession of a passport or travel document issued in their own name.”
“Your passport or travel document should be valid for at least 6 months from the date you plan to travel”
“pay the applicable processing and biometric collection fee”
“The treating physician should be affiliated with a Canadian institution that can provide the services required by the applicant.”
“Visitor visa processing fee Individual: $100 Family (5 or more people): $500”
“translations must not be done by ... the applicants themselves ... members of the applicant’s family ... the applicant’s representatives or consultants”
“submit proof that they hold a CAQ if the laws of that province require the foreign national to hold that document”
“submit proof that satisfactory financial arrangements have been made to cover the cost of the treatment as well as all related expenses, including follow-up care and living expenses for the time spent in Canada”
“submit proof from the institution in which the treatment will take place that arrangements have been made for treatment”
“If an applicant is seeking medical treatment in Canada, the applicant should submit proof from the treating physician indicating that arrangements have been made for the treatment.”
“a foreign national who is seeking to enter and remain in Canada on a temporary basis with the intention of receiving medical treatment in the province of Quebec must hold a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if the laws of that province require the foreign national to hold that document [R7(3)].”
“R10(2)(a) requires that an application contain all of the following for the applicant and all family members of the applicant, whether accompanying or not: name, birth date, address, nationality, immigration status, a statement whether the applicant or any of the family members is the spouse, common-law partner or conjugal (R10(2)(a))”
“also meet the requirements of R179, regardless of whether they initially required a temporary resident visa (TRV) or not.”
“apply before their status expires and have complied with all the conditions that were imposed on entry (R181).”
“Per paragraph A36(3)(b), inadmissibility under subsections A36(1) and (2) may not be based on a conviction for which a record suspension has been ordered and has not been revoked or ceased to have effect under the Criminal Records Act”
“Ensure the application is checked against FOSS/GCMS, existing immigration and visitor file records, and the Enforcement Information Index.”
“Per paragraphs R17(a) and R17(b), applicants inadmissible for serious criminality outside Canada can apply to the minister for rehabilitation 5 years after the sentence has been completed, as long as there are no subsequent convictions.”
“If their status at the time of the work permit or study permit refusal was valid due to the application of subsection R183(6) (i.e., it was "implied status"), then they will have to apply for a restoration of visitor status if they do not wish to leave Canada.”
“Determine if additional security checks are required.”
“All applicants (including children) 18 years and over must complete their own application form.”
“However, if a person received a sentence of more than 6 months’ imprisonment, there is no need to consult older versions of the Act of Parliament, as the person would be inadmissible for serious criminality.”
“IRCC’s policy position is to apply this decision to permanent residents and foreign nationals who are inadmissible on the ground of serious criminality for offences committed inside and outside of Canada under paragraphs A36(1)(a), (b) and (c).”
“have enough money for your stay”
“submit the necessary supporting documents (such as a valid passport) to accompany their application”
“the applicant must satisfy the visa officer that their stay in Canada will be a temporary one”
“the ties to their home country are sufficiently strong to ensure that they are motivated to return home after the visit to Canada”
“convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country”
“You must include a letter from a person or business inviting you to Canada”
“You must show proof of your relationship with the person or family member inviting you to Canada”
“In all situations, supporting documents that are in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by an official translation of the original document, or of a certified copy of the original document in English or French.”
“Officers should note that foreign nationals must also be travelling to Canada by air.”
“Foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda can’t travel to Canada as of May 27, 2026.”
“Foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda can’t travel to Canada as of May 27, 2026.”
“A temporary resident permit (TRP) allows the holder either to enter or to remain in Canada. It may be issued to any person who is inadmissible under the IRPA and seeking to come into Canada, if an officer is of the opinion that it is justified under subsection A24(1).”
“Foreign nationals who are applying for a temporary resident visa (TRV) or applying to remain in Canada as a temporary resident may be required to undergo an IME under subparagraph R30(1)(a)(i).”
“Requirements for the issuance of a temporary residence visa (medical certificate) - R179(f)”
“Determine whether the applicant is in need of a temporary resident visa [R190].”
“Every foreign national who must submit to an IME must hold a valid medical certificate before a final decision can be made on their application.”
“Do you have a valid passport or travel document?”
“a digital copy of your valid (not expired) passport or travel document”
“have a valid travel document, like a passport”
“the forms have been validated”
Read the full eligibility criteria page →
Documents and eligibility gates
Every requirement below is quoted verbatim from the official source and linked back to it. Navisa reads and cites the governing text rather than restating a document name from memory. This is a reference summary, not immigration advice, and it does not replace review by a licensed RCIC.
“Visitor/eTA routing requires nationality / visa-exempt status facts.”
“your main place of business and source of income and profits is outside Canada”
“you don't plan to enter the Canadian labour market”
“Foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda can’t travel to Canada as of May 27, 2026.”
“have no criminal or immigration-related convictions”
“Foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda can’t travel to Canada as of May 27, 2026.”
“You may also need a medical exam and letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.”
“You must include a letter from a person or business inviting you to Canada”
“digital copy of a signed Letter of Invitation from a ship or port agent in Canada”
“a letter that authorizes a minor child to travel to Canada (if applicable)”
“You must show proof of your relationship with the person or family member inviting you to Canada.”
“a digital copy of your valid (not expired) passport or travel document”
“have enough money for your stay”
“you plan to stay for less than 6 months”
“Your passport or travel document should be valid for at least 6 months from the date you plan to travel”
“a foreign national who is seeking to enter and remain in Canada on a temporary basis with the intention of receiving medical treatment in the province of Quebec must hold a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if the laws of that province require the foreign national to hold that document [R7(3)].”
“In situations where the translation cannot be provided by a certified translator, it must be accompanied by an affidavit swearing to the accuracy of the translation and the language proficiency of the translator.”
“This form must be completed by each person applying for a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada.”
“Check that the application forms have been properly completed and signed by the applicant.”
“Applicants worldwide are required to submit an application for a TRV, study permit or work permit electronically through the IRCC secure account, IRCC portal or the Authorized Paid Representatives Portal, unless an exception applies.”
“You may need to [give biometrics](https://ircc.canada.ca/english/visit/biometrics.asp) with your application.”
“Canadian citizens are not eligible to apply for an eTA and must travel to Canada using a Canadian passport.”
“submit proof that they hold a CAQ if the laws of that province require the foreign national to hold that document”
“Documents that are not in English or French must be translated by a certified translator.”
“If you are in a common-law union, you **must** also request and fill out the _Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union_ [IMM 5409] form and include it with your application.”
“a copy of the custody order is required; or”
“proof of custody and/or the other parent's written consent for the trip.”
“Use the [Document Checklist [IMM 5484]](/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/imm5484.html) (opens in a new tab) to assist you in gathering the required documents to submit your application.”
“All in-Canada visitor extension, study permit and work permit applications must be submitted electronically, with some exceptions.”
“what you need to travel to Canada: an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visa.”
“have held a Canadian temporary resident visa (TRV) in the past 10 years”
“hold a valid United States (U.S.) non-immigrant visa”
“If you already have a **valid** visitor visa, you can use that to travel to Canada until it expires.”
“This form must be completed by each person, 18 years of age or older, applying for a Temporary Resident Visa, a study or work permit outside Canada.”
“Convince an immigration officer that you have ties such as a job, home, financial assets or family.”
“**Attach a copy** of this receipt to your completed application.”
“Make sure you complete the Document Checklist [IMM 5484] and include it with your application forms and supporting documents.”
“Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475]”
“The guardian should present a statement from the parent(s), which: authorizes the child to travel with someone else; provides the name and telephone of the guardian; and indicates the destination and the period of time the child will be in Canada.”
“Foreign nationals who are applying for a temporary resident visa (TRV) or applying to remain in Canada as a temporary resident may be required to undergo an IME under subparagraph R30(1)(a)(i).”
“letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada”
“You may also need a medical exam and letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.”
“You must include a letter from a person or business inviting you to Canada”
“letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.”
“prepare letters of invitation”
“digital copy of the employment contract”
“digital copy of an Introduction Letter from recruiter shipping agency or vessel owner”
“digital copy of a signed Letter of Invitation from a ship or port agent in Canada”
“If you are married, you **must** send a photocopy of your marriage licence or certificate with your application.”
“You may also need a medical exam”
“If you have an upfront medical exam, you must submit proof that you completed the medical exam with your application.”
“When a temporary resident extension document is issued in Canada for a period resulting in a stay in excess of six months for an individual from a designated country, an Immigration Medical Examination (IME) is normally required.”
“Minors (under 18 years of age) travelling alone or with a person other than their parents or legal guardians should have a letter of authorization, preferably in English or French, signed by both parents or legal guardians.”
“a letter that authorizes a minor child to travel to Canada (if applicable)”
“Examples of identity and civil status documents include national ID card.”
“Minors traveling alone require a letter from both parents authorizing them to travel.”
“Minors travelling with one parent require a letter of authorization from the non-accompanying parent.”
“All applicants need to include a digital copy of your valid passport or travel document.”
“a digital copy of your valid (not expired) passport or travel document”
“Do you have a valid passport or travel document?”
“R52 requires that an applicant hold a passport or travel document that is valid for the entire period authorized for the person's stay.”
“advise the applicant that they need to get an appropriate travel document that demonstrates that they are a permanent resident”
“Provide two photos meeting the requirement of the [Visa application photograph specifications](/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/temporary-resident-visa-application-photograph-specifications.html). On the back of two photos, write your name and date of birth.”
“Provide two photos meeting the requirement of the Visa application photograph specifications. On the back of two photos, write your name and date of birth.”
“Visa officers should request the applicant to provide evidence of private medical insurance coverage as medical conditions unrelated to the transplant process would not be covered by provincial/territorial health care insurance.”
“submit proof that satisfactory financial arrangements have been made to cover the cost of the treatment as well as all related expenses, including follow-up care and living expenses for the time spent in Canada”
“submit proof from the institution in which the treatment will take place that arrangements have been made for treatment”
“You must have enough money for your stay.”
“If you are not a citizen of the country or territory where you are applying, you **must** send proof of your legal status in the country or territory you live in when you submit your application.”
“If you are not a citizen of the country or territory where you are applying, you must send proof of your legal status in the country or territory you live in when you submit your application.”
“the applicant should submit proof from the treating physician indicating that arrangements have been made for the treatment”
“You must show proof of your relationship with the person or family member inviting you to Canada.”
“digital copy of Seaman’s Book”
“You **must** include the following **along with** any document that is not in English or French: - the English or French translation; **and** - an [affidavit](/en/services/immigration-citizenship/helpcentre/glossary.html#affidavit) from the person who completed the translation (if they are not a [certified translator](/en/services/immigration-citizenship/helpcentre/glossary.html#certified_translator)).”
“You must include the following along with any document that is not in English or French: the English or French translation; and an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they are not a certified translator).”
“supporting documents that are in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by an official translation of the original document, or of a certified copy of the original document in English or French.”
“A letter from a Canadian transplant specialist affiliated with a recognized transplant centre on the letterhead of the transplant centre or of the specialist.”
“have a [valid travel document](/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/passport-travel-document.html), like a passport”
“have a valid travel document, like a passport”
“To obtain a transit visa you must provide specific evidence of your travel itinerary from your transportation company or travel agent.”
“Documents required with a TRV application”
“Fill out this form **only** if you: - are appointing a representative; - need to update contact information for your previously appointed representative; **or** - are cancelling a representative’s appointment.”
“Every foreign national who must submit to an IME must hold a valid medical certificate before a final decision can be made on their application.”
“Include **a letter of explanation** with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.”
“When no application for a work or study permit is received with the application for permanent residence, the applicant is obliged to apply to extend their visitor status.”
Read the full documents and eligibility gates page →
Recent policy changes affecting this program
Tracked changes Navisa has tagged to this program, dated and cited to their official source.
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